Mixed Loss Groups: Expanding Beyond Death to Incorporate Other Losses into Support Groups

Presentation Description
While 6.8% of U.S. children will experience the death of a parent or sibling, 68% have experienced at least one other potentially traumatic event, and 50% have encountered multiple incidents. The adverse experiences of separation/divorce, incarceration, and deportation, for example, each create significant loss for an affected child. The same tools and skill-building strategies used to support bereavement can be applied to other types of loss. Children in “mixed loss” support groups can learn greater empathy and build resilience for future adversities. Expanding services to incorporate additional losses is not as difficult as one might imagine. We’ll show you how!

About the Presenter

Laura Lindroth is Director of Programming and Community Engagement at Rainbows for All Children, committed to expanding the number of peer support groups, adapting an equitable training and curriculum to best support all children, and ensuring use of evidence-based research. Laura was a Peace Corps HIV volunteer in Jamaica. She has led capacity-building projects for public health, including children’s malnutrition and disaster relief efforts in Haiti, smoking prevention, cessation and policy implementation, and health promotion for youth. She has a B.S. in Communication from Boston University and a Master of Public Health in International Health and Development from Tulane University.

Objectives

1. Describe similarities and differences between various types of loss including: which are currently classified as Adverse Childhood Experiences and why, traumatic vs non-traumatic loss, and other important distinctions.

2. Outline criteria for determining what types of loss can be incorporated into a mixed loss group; define parameters for what is appropriate and what specifics should be considered; list logistical considerations to factor when moving from exclusively bereavement support services to other types of loss; address the potential challenges and identify solutions.

3. Identify and describe problem-solving and coping skills, anger and stress management, effective communication strategies and other tools and skill-building strategies that can be used to support children who are grieving from a variety of different losses.